Flag of Afghanistan - Description of the Afghanistan Flag
As the above picture of the Afghanistan Flag indicates the background is tri-color - Red, Black and Green
The flag pictures three equal vertical bands of black (hoist), red, and green, with a gold emblem centered on the red band
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Afghanistan flag represent the following:
Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
Green - hope, joy and love and in many cultures have a sacred significance
All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
The shape and flag ratio of the Afghanistan flag is described as 1:2 ( length twice the height )
The gold emblem on the Afghanistan flag pictures a temple like structure encircled by a wreath with an Islamic inscription above
The Meaning & History of the Afghanistan Flag - The Flag of Afghanistan was adopted in by the transitional government in 2002 and pictures the Shahada at the top of the coat-of-arms in the center
The center emblem is the classical Emblem of Afghanistan, one of a mosque with it's Mihrab facing Mecca
Flag Terminology - Did you Know ?
The design and description uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
Animal blazons should always appear with the heads facing the flag - staff side
The Study of the Flags is called Vexillology
Your interest in flags makes you a Vexillologist!
Increase your knowledge - Play the Flag Quiz
Flag History & Evolution:
The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield
Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted
An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification
The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms were born
These emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed
The strict rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and creating a modern flag
Afghanistan Flag Etiquette
Afghanistan Flag etiquette is very strict and is is essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
Basic Flag Etiquette applies to all nations, including Afghanistan as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Afghanistan
State Flag of Afghanistan
Military Flag of Afghanistan (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Afghanistan
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Afghanistan Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Afghanistan should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff as this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or Nation, over another
The Afghanistan flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Afghanistan should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Afghanistan flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Afghanistan, when in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private with all due care and respect
Terminology & Etiquette in Afghanistan Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Afghanistan flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Afghanistan flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Afghanistan flag to the top, then lowering the Afghanistan Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Afghanistan flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Afghanistan flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Afghanistan flag
The Afghanistan flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way
The Afghanistan flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature
The Afghanistan flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Afghanistan Flag usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding Afghanistan Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource.
Afghanistan
Location:
Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran
Land Size of Afghanistan : 647,500 sq km
Climate / Weather of Afghanistan : arid to semi-arid; cold winters and hot summers
Population of Afghanistan : 28,600,000
Former Name(s) : Republic of Afghanistan
Capital City of Afghanistan : Kabul
GDP of Afghanistan : $20 billion
Main Industries : small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper
Main Colors of Afghanistan Flag : Black, red and green
Commonly mis-spelt as Afganistan
Concise History of Afghanistan
Alexander the Great used Afghanistan as the gateway to India
700's - Islamic conquerors
1300 - 1400's - Genghis Khan and Tamerlane conquered the country
1839–1842 Anglo-Afghan war
1878–1880 Anglo-Afghan war
1893 UK established an unofficial border separating Afghanistan from British India
1919 Afghanistan became independent
1926 Emir Amanullah founded an Afghan monarchy
1950's Afghanistan developed close ties with the Soviet Union during the cold war
1978 Military coup Afghanistan became a Marxist regime
1979 Soviets launched an invasion of Afghanistan
1989 Soviet withdrawal
1992 Islamic rebellion - in-fighting between rebel groups
1996 A group of Islamic students calling itself the Taliban seized control of Kabul
1996 The Taliban took over the government of Afghanistan but the government was only recognised by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates
August 20, 1998, U.S. cruise missiles struck a terrorist training complex in Afghanistan believed to have been financed by Osama bin Laden
September 2001 anti-Taliban guerrilla leader Ahmed Shah Masoud of the group referred to as the Northern Alliance was killed by suicide bombers
September 11 2001 - Taliban terrorists - al-Qaeda members - attacked New York's World Trade Center Towers and the Pentagon
October 7 2001 - The Taliban refused to turn over Bin Laden and the U.S. and its allies began daily air strikes against Afghan military installations
December 7 2001 - the Taliban regime collapsed
December 2001 - Afghanistan interim government formed
June 2002 - Hamid Karzai became President
2002 - 2003 - Peacekeeping forces entered the country
March 2003 - US Offensive against Kandahar and al-Qaeda members
August 2003 - NATO assumed command of peacekeeping troops
January 4, 2004 - New constitution introduced
April 2004 - US Offensive along the Pakistan border against al-Qaeda members
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The Flag and Nation of Afghanistan
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Flag and Country of Afghanistan has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flag and Nations Index and test your knowledge with our interactive, multi-choice, picture-based Flag Trivia Quiz Game - it's fast and it's fun! If you answer all questions correctly you will earn the right to enter the Vexillologist Hall of Fame!
